Jameek Lowery Was Beaten By Police Prior To His Death: Lawsuit

PATERSON, NJ — The estate of Jameek Lowery has filed a federal lawsuit which alleges that three Paterson police officers and a St. Joseph's University Medical Center emergency room doctor played a part in the Paterson man's death.

In the 19-page federal lawsuit, Lowery's estate accuses officers Michael Avila, Mucio Lucero and Kyle Wanamaker of using excessive force and Dr. Joseph Affortunato of St. Joseph's Hospital of medical negligence.

Lowery died in 2019 after he livestreamed an encounter with police in which he asked for water, and for officers not to shoot him. He died at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center two days later.

Lowery's death hasn't been forgotten in New Jersey, particularly in Paterson, where, during a June protest, demonstrators held signs with his name and likeness, and made calls for justice.

Now, the lawsuit lays out allegations against the people most closely involved in Lowery's final moments.

Filed by Shaquana Duncan, the mother of Lowery's child, the lawsuit says Lowery sought medical attention after taking recreational drugs, but was discharged within 30-minutes, even after he continued exhibiting signs of paranoia and behaving strangely.

Lowery and a woman who was accompanying him left the hospital in a taxi, but Lowery exited the car shortly after and went to the Paterson Police Department, where he said he was afraid someone was trying to kill him.

While there, Lowery began recording video of his encounter with police. He stated multiple times that he felt someone was trying to kill him, and at one point asked if someone could call his mother.

Officers in the video tell Lowery that an ambulance is coming to take him to the hospital, and in the final seconds Lowery makes another request: "please don't kill me."

WARNING: Video contains graphic material and explicit language.

The lawsuit alleges that while he was in the ambulance, the officers struck, punched and choked Lowery while trying to restrain him.

The suit alleges that on the way to the hospital, Lowery's airway was restricted, and he suffered "traumatic injuries from being assaulted." Prior to arriving at the hospital, Lowery lost consciousness and stopped breathing.

Medical staff found Lowery with no pulse, but were able to revive him. However, he died on January 7, after suffering brain damage, as well as kidney and organ failure.

The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office said that a New Jersey Medical Examiner’s Office autopsy showed Lowery died from a reaction to the drugs he took and preexisting medical conditions.

None of the officers involved were charged with any wrongdoing.

The Paterson Police Department, nor the Mayor's Office, have responded to an email request for comment.

Duncan, who represents Lowery's estate, is seeking an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages.